ADF

ADF STAFF From Ethiopia to Libya to Mali, armed drones have become an increasingly important part of the battlefield arsenal. The rapid rise of drones powered by artificial intelligence (AI) is raising concerns among experts about how they might be used by security forces and extremist groups. Unlike the most widely used drone technology, which relies on humans to direct the machines, AI-powered drones are capable of identifying potential targets with no human oversight. Such AI-powered technology is rare in Africa currently, but experts worry that the use of autonomous drones could grow, making it possible for terrorist groups to…

ADF STAFF Libyan military officials in August joined military officials from the United States for a three-day workshop in Malta aimed at enhancing cooperation. The officials shared experiences on mitigating crises and reducing harm to civilians during military operations. The talks also centered on community engagement in conflict areas, responding to emerging crises and effective coordination during natural disasters. “This engagement marks a significant step forward in our ongoing cooperation,” a U.S. military official said in a news release. “I’m optimistic this is just the beginning of our collaborative efforts.” Libyan military representatives also emphasized the importance of adaptability and…

ADF STAFF July 26 marked one year since Niger’s military overthrew the country’s democratically elected government. At the time, junta leaders promised to improve security and the economy, issues Nigeriens continue to struggle with today. Moussa Moumouni, who served as security advisor to ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, recently noted that 57 Nigerien Soldiers were killed during the previous government’s two years and four months in office. Since the coup, Niger has lost 780 security personnel in one year, he said. “In terms of security, the situation has worsened,” he told Deutsche Welle. “God only knows how many civilians were killed.”…

ADF STAFF As global outrage grew over its invasion of neighboring Ukraine, Russia in 2023 began ramping up its efforts to change the narrative. Seeking to influence public opinion, the Kremlin expanded its information warfare operations worldwide. In response, dozens of countries have banned or suspended television channels Russia Today (RT), Sputnik and other state-run media outlets. Social media platforms have restricted access to the content churned out by the Kremlin’s propaganda machine. Despite their disinformation-laden content and their clear ties to Moscow, however, Russian media are hoping to find a foothold in Africa. “Russia received quite a setback at…

ADF STAFF More than 500 days after it began, Sudan’s bloody war between rival generals appears unlikely to end as both sides refuse to discuss peace and, instead, vow to continue fighting. “We will not put down our weapons as the rebellion continues. We will not co-exist with the rebels, and we will not forgive them,” Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) chief Gen. Abdel Fattah  al-Burhan, the de facto head of the country, said in August as he denounced the latest international attempt to negotiate an end to the fighting. Since fighting broke out in April 2023 between al-Burhan’s SAF and…

ADF STAFF Angola’s long-running financial relationship with China has been built on a simple equation: Angola would repay its growing Chinese debt with oil, a strategy that became known as the Angola Model. The strategy is faltering, however, as China has begun importing less oil from Angola and other African nations and more from Russia, the Persian Gulf and Asia. The shift has been driven, in part, by African countries’ lack of investment in new oilfields and infrastructure. Aging equipment and shrinking oilfields make the continent’s oil producers, including Angola, less reliable as exporters, according to researchers with the Carnegie…

ADF STAFF Details are emerging about the new peacekeeping mission that will succeed the African Union’s current multilateral force in Somalia known as ATMIS when it concludes operations at the end of this year. On August 1, the AU adopted a strategic concept of operations for its Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and forwarded it to the United Nations Security Council, which gave approval on August 12. “The follow-on mission will have up to 11,911 personnel, including 85 civilians and 680 police personnel, deployed across four geographical sectors,” according to independent news website Security Council Report. “The mission…

ADF STAFF It’s supposed to be simple. A doctor prescribes medicine — an antibiotic for an infection or perhaps an antimalarial — and a trusted pharmacist dispenses the drug to the patient. The patient trusts the product and takes it as directed. But the prevalence of fake and substandard medicines in Africa, and a corresponding lack of regulatory and procedural safeguards, means that too often remedies fail to heal, or even harm, those who take them. In some cases, these phony drugs are dispensed on streets or in unlicensed pharmacies without medical input. The economic toll of fake drugs also…

ADF STAFF Northern Somalia, with its mountains, coastal towns and sparsely populated hinterlands, has felt the presence in recent months of a revitalized Islamic State affiliate (IS-Somalia) — its rise in prominence an increasing menace to the fragile country. In its yearslong fight against al-Qaida affiliate al-Shabaab, IS-Somalia has managed to drive its more powerful rivals out of their previously held Buuraha Cali Miskat mountain range stronghold in the autonomous region of Puntland. “Despite the presence of al-Shabaab, IS has also increased its influence in the port city of Bosaso and the surrounding remote villages in Qandala district,” the Armed…

ADF STAFF A report analyzing the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali concludes that it was handicapped from the start by its narrow capabilities and the Malian government’s expectations. Researchers produced the report after a June 13 workshop that analyzed the mission and the lessons learned from its 10-year deployment. The International Peace Institute, the Stimson Center and the Security Council Report organized the workshop. The Malian government, the report concluded, “appeared to prioritize sovereignty and restoration of state authority above all else, including above sustaining the political transition or the peace process in the north.” The United Nations Multidimensional…